| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | EchoStar |
| COSPAR ID | 2012-065A |
| SATCATno. | 39008 |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | LS-1300 |
| Manufacturer | Space Systems/Loral |
| Launch mass | 6,683 kilograms (14,733 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 20 November 2012, 18:31 (2012-11-20UTC18:31Z) UTC |
| Rocket | Proton-M/Briz-M |
| Launch site | Baikonur200/39 |
| Contractor | ILS |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 61.5° West |
| Period | 24 hours |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 36J band (IEEEKu band) |
EchoStar XVI is an American geostationarycommunications satellite which is operated byEchoStar. It is positioned ingeostationary orbit, and will be located at alongitude of 61.5° West, from where it is intended to providedirect broadcasting ofhigh-definition television services to the United States forDish Network.[1][2]
EchoStar XVI was built bySpace Systems/Loral, and is based on theLS-1300satellite bus. It is equipped with 32J band (IEEEKu band)transponders.[1] At launch it had a mass of 6,258 kilograms (13,797 lb). It has a design life of fifteen years.[2] It has a common configuration withEchoStar XI andEchoStar XV.
The launch of EchoStar XVI was conducted byInternational Launch Services, using aProton-Mcarrier rocket with aBriz-M upper stage. The launch occurred on 20 November 2012, 18:31 UTC fromSite 200/39 at theBaikonur Cosmodrome inKazakhstan.[3][4]
The arts organizationCreative Time launched an archivaldisc created by artistTrevor Paglen calledThe Last Pictures into orbit on EchoStar XVI. Made of ultra-archival materials, the disc is expected to orbit the planetEarth for millions of years and possibly up to several billion years affixed to the exterior of the communications satellite if left untouched. The silicon wafer disc, protected by a gold-plated aluminum cover bolted to the satellite's exterior, contains one hundred black-and-white photographs selected to represent the artist's take on modern human history.[5]
